Kodjia’s Strike Fires Ivory Coast Past South Africa

By Daily Sports on June 25, 2019

Ivory Coast defeated South Africa 1-0 in their first 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D match at the Al Salam Stadium in Egypt on Monday afternoon.

The Elephants were the better side in the opening stages, but it was Bafana Bafana, who threatened first through Thulani Hlatshwayo.

The South Africa captain connected with Kamohelo Mokotjo's cross which was well-saved by Sylvain Gbohouo in Ivory Coast goal-posts in the 19th minute.

Ivory Coast were awarded a free-kick in a promising area following a period of sustained pressure.

Nicolas Pepe then stepped up and hit the crossbar with Ronwen Williams well-beaten in South Africa goal-posts just before the half-hour mark. 

The momentum was with the Elephants and Jonathan Kodjia was sent through on goal in the 32nd minute with the Bafana defence exposed.

However, Williams produced a great save to deny the Aston Villa player from a one-on-one situation as the shot-stopper kept the Ivorians at bay.

Ivory Coast and South Africa were locked at 0-0 at the interval. 

Both teams launched attacks after the restart as they looked to open the scoring in the first 15 minutes of the second-half, but they were struggling to create clear-cut chances.

The deadlock was broken in the 65th minute after the South Africa defence was exposed and they were punished by Kodjia.

The experienced marksman found himself in a one-on-one situation with Williams and he beat the SuperSport United player with a low shot to make it 1-0 to Ivory Coast.

South Africa had to find a way to penetrate the Ivory Coast defence and level matters in the remaining minutes of the game.

Attack-minded duo Sibusiso Vilakazi and Lars Veldwijk were both introduced by Bafana coach Stuart Baxter with time running out. 

However, the Elephants did not sit back and defend their slender lead as they pushed forward, and they were awarded a free-kick in a promising area.

Pepe stepped up and unleashed a powerful shot which was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Williams in the last minute of the match. 

South Africa then launched late attacks, but Ivory Coast stood firm at the back in the closing stages of the match and ultimately, the Elephants secured a 1-0 victory over Bafana. (African Football)

•Photo shows Ivory Coast players 

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 25, 2019


 

You may also like...
World Cup: Go girls, Awoniyi charges Falcons

Solskjaer Backs Pogba Amid Poor Man Utd Form...

Kane Turns Business Man

Bayern still interested in Ndidi

Iwobi: Nigeria Have The Quality To Win 2022...

Japan U-23 beat South Africa in friendly, send...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,402 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,406 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,549 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,225 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,007 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,889 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,774 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,229 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,277 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,186 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,640 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,216 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media